The Failed Martyr's Complex
Cyrus frequently expresses his desire to become a martyr, albeit in a secular and pacifist manner. However, irony permeates his journey. In conversation with Orkideh, he claims not to be driven by the traditional religious idea of martyrdom but admits that his cultural background and the Iranian “cult of the martyr.” The irony lies in his rejection of the religious concept of martyrdom yet his deep obsession aligns closely with its psychological patterns. He denies wanting glory but paradoxically dreams of writing his name into history to construct a legacy similar to the martyrs he studies. This conflict underscores his struggle with identity and belonging.
Contradicting Faith in Martyrdom
When Cyrus discusses with Gabe his fascination with martyrs who exhibit unshakeable faith, he confesses envy for that conviction. The irony is in Cyrus’s lack of conviction about anything despite his admiration for those who sacrifice themselves with unbending certainty. He cannot commit to any ideology with the same devotion, but simultaneously desires a form of martyrdom without ever defining his principles. His admission of being uncertain about even the most basic elements of existence (e.g., gravity) highlights his deep existential crisis.
The Satirical "Earth Martyr"
Cyrus coins the term “Earth Martyr” as he discusses creating secular martyrs in his writing. The irony stems from his failure to realize that the term "martyr" traditionally involves a heavenly or religious reward for sacrifice. He attempts to construct an alternative secular framework but the concept inherently contradicts the very foundation of martyrdom. His version of a martyr, who dies for worldly causes with no expectation of reward, is an ironic subversion of what the concept represents. It draws attention to the tension between his ideals and reality.
Escaping Iran Only to Be Trapped by It
There is deep irony in the way Cyrus and his family fled Iran to seek refuge in the U.S. They find themselves unable to escape the cultural and emotional weight of their past. Cyrus’s mother was killed when the U.S. Navy shot down her plane. Therefore, this trauma haunts Cyrus and his father throughout their lives. While the family sought freedom and safety in America, they became trapped in a cycle of grief. The irony lies in the fact that the very country they sought as a refuge becomes a source of their ongoing suffering. It is heightened by the fact that Cyrus continually wrestles with his identity as he is caught in a liminal space where he belongs to neither fully.
Sobriety as Liberation vs. Imprisonment
Cyrus initially views getting sober as a form of liberation from his destructive habits. However, the irony unfolds, as sobriety becomes a new form of imprisonment for him. Instead of feeling free, Cyrus feels trapped in a life devoid of pleasure and meaning. He describes sobriety as "nothing in every direction" and struggles to find fulfillment in it. This irony is further compounded by Cyrus’s resentment towards the recovery program, which he views as a cult of words that cannot touch the depths of his internal suffering. Even though sobriety is supposed to offer a clearer path forward, Cyrus feels more disconnected from himself and others. The very thing that was supposed to save him becomes another form of psychological captivity.
